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Cabin air filter: when to change it and how to tell it's time
The cabin air filter cleans the air that comes into the car from outside. When it clogs up, the airflow weakens, the windows mist up more easily and the cabin can start to smell stale. The filter is changed according to the car's service schedule, or sooner if you notice these symptoms.
What the filter does
The filter catches street dust, pollen and other particles from the outside air before the air passes through the fan into the cabin. A filter containing activated carbon also reduces odours and some gaseous pollutants. If you are sensitive to pollen, a working filter is especially important.
In city driving the filter works hard, because the air is drawn in from the middle of the traffic, and in spring street dust and pollen can clog it quickly.
Signs that the filter needs changing
- The airflow is weak, even though the fan is on high and louder than usual.
- The windows mist up and won't clear, because the ventilation isn't removing moisture from the cabin.
- A stale smell is noticeable, especially when you switch the fan on.
- Dust settles on the dashboard soon after it has been cleaned.
These symptoms can have other causes too. Wet mats and windows that are dirty on the inside also make misting worse, and a stale smell can come from the air conditioning system, in which case changing the filter alone won't help. There is more on misting windows in our article on wiper streaks and misting windows.
When to change the filter
The change interval is set out in the car's service schedule, which you will find in the service book or the owner's manual. If you don't know when the filter was last changed, or you notice the symptoms above, it's worth changing it earlier than the schedule says.
In many cars the filter sits behind the glovebox, and you can change it yourself by following the owner's manual. In others it is under the bonnet or somewhere harder to reach, and then the job is best left to a garage.
Filter replacement and odour removal with us
Filter replacement is done on our own premises based on a quote, and it can't be booked online. The service covers air, cabin air and fuel filters, so you can have several of them changed on the same visit. Call or send a message and tell us the make, model and registration number of your car.
A new filter won't remove a smell that has already soaked into the upholstery, carpets or headlining. There is a separate service for removing tobacco, pet, mould and musty smells, Ozone treatment / odour removal (from €79), which you can book online. We explain where bad smells come from in our article on car odour removal.
Get your cabin air filter changed
Filter replacement: price on request. Call or send a message and we will agree on a time.